Dunmore Co VA, named after Lord Dunmore, was
organized from
Frederick Co VA in 1772. In 1778, during the
Revolutionary War, Dunmore was re-named
Shenandoah. And both the Combs and the Hammonds
seem to have taken some strange left turns…

A Chronology of Hammond Family Records, most annotated, which will hopefully provide clues to some of our Dangling Combs:

29 Sep 1730 (King George DBA-1:100-102) William McBEE of King George to Emmanuel CUMBER witnessed by (among others) John HAMMON. This land believed to have later been part of Prince William Co VA, was adjacent to BUTLERS, HARDINS, RUSSELLS, KINGS and Jeffrey JOHNSTON. Emmanuel Combs [sic] later found on 1738 Prince William VA Rent Roll, as was Joseph Combs. See also Willlam McBEE in early records of Washington Co TN

Notes: Jeffrey JOHNSTON'S son, Jeffrey II in Fauquier Co VA, then Jeffrey III to Halifax Co VA , then Wilkes Co NC where he (and wife Rachel WALKER, d/o George WALKER of Westmoreland Co VA) were neighbors to Edmond DENNEY who names George & Ann Combs in his will of 1801. Among the children of Jeffrey & Rachel WALKER Johnston III were Samuel who m Mary HAMMONDS, d/o Ambrose & Ann HAMMONS of Wilkes NC.

1768 Rowan Co NC Tax List of Gideon Wright included Mason & William Combs & John HAMMON. Numerous HAMMONDS were in Surry, Wilkes & Rowan Cos, NC. These included one family whose migrations might help to explain one apparent "oddity" in the movements of RW John Combs of Perry Co KY who is thought to have possibly resided in Surry or Wilkes Co NC, thence to Shenandoah Co VA, thence back to Surry or Wilkes (and/or Buncombe) Co NC again. This "reverse migration" is also found in the HAMMOND Family of Rowan NC (& Surry & Wilkes Cos), Shenandoah VA, Knox and Perry Cos KY, who may have been related to the RW John HAMMOND of Hamilton Co OH, where Zur Combs died. (See Hammond Families)

The Revolutionary War Pension File of Peter HAMMONDS included his declaration of 11 Feb 1833 in Perry Co KY that he lived in Rowan Co NC at the time of his first enlistment and that he later enlisted in Shenandoah Co VA. (RW Pension File S30461) The Revolutionary War Pension file of Obadiah HAMMOND (also HAMMONDS & HAMMONS), application 22 Sep 1833, Knox Co KY, included his declaration that he was a son of Obadiah & Betty HAMMONS, that he was born 5 Dec 1756, that he lived in Rowan Co NC at enlistment & that after his military service, he moved to the Clinch River in TN, then in 1803 moved to Knox Co KY where he applied 22 Sep 1833. His brother, Peter HAMMOND was born 25 Nov 1759, & in 1833 lived in Perry Co KY & declared that he had served with his brother, Obadiah, for 2 tours. (RW Pension File S2263).

Learning the dates and companies of service of the two HAMMOND brothers could provide invaluable data insofar as learning more about the movements of RW John Combs, also of Perry Co KY. See Also HAMMONDS in Hamilton Co OH in ref Zur Combs of Shendandoah Co VA and yet another RW John HAMMONS:

HAMMON, John, S9559, NC Line, he was b 29 Jan 1760 in Goochland Co VA, appl 6 Oct 1835 Hamilton Co OH, sol's father d when he (John) was aged 3 yrs & his mother d a short time before sol moved to KY, sol lived in Wilkes Co NC at enl, one Colly HOLBROOK of Owen Co KY & stated he was b in 1769 in Orange Co VA & had served with John HAMMON but no relationship was stated (Virgil D. White, Genealogical Abstracts of Revolutionary War Pension Abstract Files).

Notes: In Wilkes Co NC, William Combs m Hannah TOUSSON (appears to be a.k.a. TOWNSEND) in 1780; and Edmund DENNEY named George & Ann Combs in his 1801 Will. In Surry Co NC, see Lucretia Combs & Andrew VANNOY. The 1787 Wilkes NC Tithables place George Combs in Ambrose HAMMONS' District with Jeffrey JOHNSTON Family.

The RW Pension file of Samuel JOHNSON (W5012), includes affidavits stating he was a son of Jeffrey JOHNSON who lived 9 miles below Wilkesboro in Wilkes Co NC during the Rev War & that he lived there at enlistment, that he rec'd a disability pension from 1 Jan 1809, that he m Mary daughter of Ambrose HAMONS or HAMMONS on 25 Jun 1782 in Wilkes Co NC. He d in Wilkes NC on 15 Dec 1834 aged 77. His widow applied 24 Jan 1839 Wilkes Co NC, aged 78, & she d in Wilkes NC on 21 Jan 1853. Children: Robert b 25 Oct 1783 & he m a Miss BORAN the sis of sol's bro-in-law Wm. BORAN, Nancy b 3 Oct 1785 & she m a Mr. GAMBILL, Cloe b 3 Sep 1788, Samuel B. b 18 May 1790, Ambrose b 15 May 1792 or 93, Mary "Polly" b 9 Jun 1796 & she m Wm. BORAN, Rachel no birth date & she m a FORRISTER (his name not clearly written), Lewis b about 1800 & m prior to 1834 (wife not named) & John B. b about 1803 & in 1854 was referred to as Col John S. JOHNSON, wid d leaving children; Ambrose, Lewis & John S. JOHNSON, Mrs. Clay or Cloy GAMBILL, Mrs. Nancy GAMBILL, Mrs. Rachel FORRISTER all of Wilkes Co NC & Mrs. Mary BORAN of Grayson Co VA, sol's nephew GEORGE was an officer in the Rev & was the son of sol's bro William JOHNSON, one John JOHNSON signed the m bond with sol on 24 Jun 1782 & in 1851 one John S. JOHNSON was a JP & a James JOHNSON was a also a JP (all 3 men were in Wilkes Co NC but no relationship was shown), in 1853 Mrs. Nancy GAMBILL aged 93 wid of Capt Martin GAMBILL made aff'dt in Ashe Co NC & in 1853 a James GAMBILL was a JP for Ashe Co NC, a Robert GAMBILL was County Clerk of Ashe Co NC & a John GAMBILL was JP in Wilkes Co NC but their relationship to sol's daughter not stated (Source: Virgil D. White, Genealogical Abstracts of Revolutionary War Pension Abstract Files) Notes: Samuel JOHNSTON was s/o Jeffrey & Rachel WALKER Johnson III

Yet another unidentified John HAMMON is found in Surry Co NC, who declared in his 17 Dec 1832, Hall Co GA pension application that he was born 6 May 1763 in Halifax Co VA, then moved to Surry Co NC & he lived there at enlistment & afterwards moved to Greenville Dist SC for 12 yrs (See Peter Hammonds above) then to TN for 2 yrs, then to Hall Co GA. (R4542, NC Line, Virgil D. White, Genealogical Abstracts of Revolutionary War Pension Abstract Files.

Jacob JOHNSON sold two tracts on Lovell's Creek in Grayson Co VA in 1808, moved to Warren Co, TN. Then late 1820, back to Lovell's Creek, trying to retrieve land and gave nuncupative will when dying on Christmas Day 1820, which resulted in a law suit, Grayson, Chancery File #17, which names his l0 children. Among them are (5) Mary JOHNSON who married Woodson HAMMONS, and Martin JOHNSON. Not known if kin to Martin JOHNSON who m Sarah Combs ca 1797 and also lived in Warren Co TN, and later in Madison Co AR (See Below re VAUGHN-HAMMONDS) John HAMMONS, Sr. owned land on the Patrick Co, VA-Surry Co, NC border on Johnson's Ck. Officially in NC, but most activities in Patrick Co VA, where three children were married. Woodson is mentioned in Order Book "O" as an ensign of Militia, 1798-99.

In the 1790 NC census, John HAMMONS Sr. is the same who in Surry Co. NC had slaves and was listed close to Joel BLANCHETT. The "other" John HAMMONDS is of the Wilkes Co, NC line. So far as I can determine, the two lines are not related, or if so, further back than I have information. Also not known to be related to the Col. Leroy HAMMONDS of S.C., who is of the Richmond Co, VA line and has a clear genealogy. Lt.Col Leroy HAMMONS of Warren TN served in War of 1812 under Gen. WINCHESTER.

Misc. Add'l Records:

(Warren TN WB4:154-156) 14 May 1866. "Rept of settlement made with Michael HOOVER, adm. of Mary HAMMONS, dec'd, with will annexed of Leroy Hammons, dec'd..many years ago the said Leroy Hammons made his last will…proven and rec. in Co. Ct of Warren TN…wife Mary Hammons…at her death to be divided between the heirs or children of said Leroy…Ransom GWYNN and William McGEHEE, execs of estate ref. to act as admin and in Nov 1860 Michael Hoover appt as her admin.

Note: Leroy HAMMONS appears on 1840 census as does a Mary HAMMONS who may have been his mother, and/or may have been widow of Woodson HAMMONS which would make her Mary JOHNSON, dau of Jacob and Susannah -----JOHNSON, and sister of the "other" Martin JOHNSON, of Grayson Co, VA. See Also Combs-Guinn (a.k.a. Goin)-McGee of Surry Co NC, Greenville SC & Washington Co TN

To Be Continued…

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